Lionel Messi will be looking to become the first footballer to ever win the Ballon d’Or four times after being shortlisted for the 2012 award alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Andres Iniesta.
Spanish football dominated the latest shortlists announced by FIFA president Sepp Blatter in Sao Paulo on Thursday, with the Ballon d’Or award narrowed down from 23 candidates to three.
Three-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is the favourite for the honour having scored 50 La Liga goals last term while he’s on track for a world record 85 for the calendar year.
Messi’s Barcelona team-mate Iniesta, who was part of Spain’s European Championship-winning side is arguably the outsider.
Ronaldo scored 46 goals to help Real Madrid to the 2011-12 Spanish La Liga title ahead of Barca, while he played a leading role as Portugal reached the European Championship semifinals.
Meanwhile, Spain boss Vicente del Bosque appears the favourite for coach of the year, having been shortlisted alongside Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho and ex-Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola.
The award will be presented on January 7 in Zurich.